Objective To study the effect of 3％ hypertonic saline(HS) and 20％ mannitol on cerebral oxygen metabolism in patients undergoing neurosurgery for supratentorial glioma.Methods 56 patients undergoing neurosurgery for supratentorial glioma were evenly divided into two groups.Group A(n =28) was treated by 3％ hypertonic saline(5.35ml/kg).Group B (n =28) was treated by 20％ mannitol(1 g/kg).CSFP was tested before hypertonic saline or mannitol infusion (T0),immediately (T1),15,30,60,120min after infusion (T2 ～5).Various blood-gas indexes were observed at To,T3 ～5.CaO2,CjvO2,Da-jvO2 and CERO2 were calculated.Results CSFP significantly dropped from T2 to T5 in both groups (P ＜ 0.05).Da-jvO2 and CERO2 were significantly reduced at T4～5 in both groups (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion 3 ％ HS is as efficient as 20％ mannitol in reducing intracranial pressure and improving cerebral oxygen metabolism in patients undergoing neurosurgery for supratentorial glioma.

Objective To determine the brain protective effects of inhalation anesthetic pretreatment in infants undergoing open-heart surgery under extracorporeal circulation (ECC).Methods Forty-five infants (no more than 3 years old) with congenital heart diseases who received surgical treatment were divided into 3 groups by table of random digit,sevoflurane pretreatment group (group S,15 cases),isoflurane pretreatment group (group Ⅰ,15 cases) and control group (group C,15 cases).In pretreatment group,all infants had been inhaled 1.0-1.5 MAC sevoflurane or isoflurane continually for over 60 min after intubation,while group C did not receive pretreatment.Blood samples were taken before (T1) and in 5 min after ECC (T2),occlusion of aorta (T3),30 min after ECC (T4),end ofECC (T4),and 6 and 24 h after the end of ECC (T6 and T7).Serum levels of S 100 β protein and neurone specific enolase (NSE) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results There was no significant difference in the serum levels of S100β protein and NSE among the 3 groups in T1 (P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the serum levels of S100β protein and NSE in group S and group Ⅰ between T1 and T2-7 (P＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the serum levels of S100 β protein and NSE in T2-7 between group S and group Ⅰ (P ＞ 0.05).In group C,there were significant differences in the serum levels of S100 β protein in T4-6 and NSE in T4-7 than those in T1 (P＜ 0.05).In T4-6,the serum levels of S100 β protein and NSE in group S and group Ⅰ were significantly lower than those in group C [S100 β protein:(0.45 ± 0.31),(0.47 ± 0.35) μ g/L vs.(0.73 ± 0.31) μ g/L,(0.53 ± 0.33),(0.54 ± 0.36) μ g/L vs.(0.91 ± 0.30) μ g/L,(0.47 ± 0.34),(0.49 ±0.35) μ g/L vs.(0.79 ± 0.40) μ g/L,P ＜ 0.05； NSE:(3.26 ± 1.34),(3.32 ± 1.34) μ g/L vs.(7.20 ± 2.71)μ g/L,(5.57 ± 1.49),(5.61 ± 1.52) μ g/L vs.(7.68 ± 3.68) μ g/L,(2.29 ± 1.21),(2.34 ± 1.22) μ g/L vs.(9.46 ± 4.61) μg/L,P ＜ 0.05].Conclusion Sevoflurane or isoflurane pretreatment significantly decreases the serum levels of S100 β protein and NSE during open-heart operation in infants with ECC.

Objective: To investigate the interactions between Bcl-2 protein, a new target for anticancer agents, and its substrate proteins. Methods: A homologous 3D model of Bcl-2 protein fusing with Bak peptide was established and the reliability of the model was assessed. The active-site cavities of Bcl-2 in the complex and in free state were compared. The key residues and the active sites of Bcl-2 protein for interaction with the substrates were identified, and their fusion with 2 representative inhibitors was analyzed. Results: The constructed complex had a reliable structure. Obvious changes were found in the active sites of Bcl-2 protein in the constructed complex, especially in the regions around α3. The acid and basic residues on the side of active sites and the hydrophobic residues in the bottom of active sites were important for binding with the substrate proteins, which accorded well with the results of biological residue mutation experiments. Conclusion: We have successfully constructed a reliable complex model of Bcl-2 protein binding with Bak peptide.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To explore the necessity and effectiveness of type-based acupuncture treatment for cervical spondylosis. Method Two hundred and forty patients with clinically common cervical spondylosis, cervical spondylotic radiculopathy or cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy, 80 cases each type, were enrolled. Every type of patients was randomly allocated to observation and conventional groups. The observation group (120 patients) received type-based acupuncture treatment. Cervical spondylosis was treated by syndrome differentiation; cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, from the spleen and stomach; cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy, with nape five-needle acupuncture. Every type of the conventional group (120 patients) received the same therapeutic method (conventional selection of acupoints). Before and after five and ten sessions of treatment, cervical spondylosis and cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were scored using the CSAS and the VAPS and cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy was scored using the ESCV. The overall therapeutic effects were evaluated after ten treatments. Result Of the patients with cervical spondylosis, there were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the CSAS and VAPS scores in the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01) but no statistically significant differences in the scores between the groups (P>0.05). Of the patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, there were statistically significant differences in the CSAS and VAPS scores in the two groups after five treatments compared with before (P<0.05) but no statistically significant differences in the scores between the groups (P>0.05);after ten treatments there were statistically significant differences in the scores in the two groups compared with before (P<0.01) and also between the groups (P<0.05). Of the patients with cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy, there was a statistically significant difference in the ESCV score in the observation group after five treatments compared with before (P<0.01);the score also decreased in the conventional group (P<0.05);there was a statistically significant difference between the groups (P<0.05);after ten treatments there was a statistically significant difference in the ESCV score in the two groups compared with before (P<0.01) and also between the groups (P<0.05). After ten treatments, the cure and marked efficacy rate and the total efficacy rate were 76.6%and 92.8%, respectively, in the observation group and 54.2%and 86.0%, respectively, in the conventional group. There was a statistically significant difference in the cure and marked efficacy rate between the two groups (P<0.01). Conclusion Type-based acupuncture can markedly improve the clinical therapeutic effect on cervical spondylosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of artesunate on human cervical cancer cell line HeLa.Methods The inhibitory effect on cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay.Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent staining were applied to demonstrate the presence of apoptosis.Cell cycle,reactive oxygen species(ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potential(??m) were examined by flow cytometry,respectively.Expression of caspase-3 was detected by immunohistochemical methods.Results Growth inhibition of ART on HeLa cells was time-and dose-dependent.Apoptotic feature was observed by transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent staining.The blocking of the cell cycle was in S-phase.The expression of caspase-3 in cytoplasm was positive.The generation of ROS increased obviously(P

Aim To investigate the ameliorative effects pseudoberberine(Y53), a berberine(BBR) analogue, on diabetic nephropathy( DN) in streptozotocin( STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Methods Diabetes mellitus ( DM) of the C57BL/6J mice was induced by intraper-itoneal injection of STZ at 120 mg·kg-1 . The diabetic animals were divided into 4 groups, which were orally treated with saline, 50 mg · kg-1 of BBR, 50 mg · kg-1 of Y53 or 5 mg · kg-1 of rosiglitazone ( ROSI ) , respectively. During and after the experiment, the u-rine, blood, serum and kidney of the animals were harvested for determination of relevant parameters by kits. Kidney tissues of the mice were subjected to pathological examination by hematoxylin & eosin( HE) staining;mRNA and protein expression levels of target genes in the kidney were determined by quantitative re-al-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction ( qRT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Results Y53 greatly reduced the fasting blood glucose ( FBG ) and glycosylated hemoglobin( GHb) , improved diabet-ic symptoms such as polyphagia and polyuria in the di-abetic mice( P<0. 01 vs DM control group) . Y53 po-tently reduced the blood urea nitrogen ( BUN ) , serum creatinine( Scr) , 24 h urinary protein, kidney index, serum and kidney advanced glycation end-products ( AGEs) and nitric oxide( NO) , as well as kidney cho-lesterol( CHO ) and triglyceride ( TG ) contents ( P <0. 05 or P<0. 01 vs DM control group) . In the patho-logical examination, Y53 greatly restored kidney mor-phology and suppressed glomerular sclerosis( P<0. 001 vs DM control group). In addition, Y53 significantly reduced the renal expression of fibrosis-related genes, such as the transforming growth factor-β1 ( TGF-β1 ) and smad2(P<0. 01 vs DM control group). The reno-protective efficacies of Y53 were superior to those of BBR and ROSI in our study ( P<0. 05 or P<0. 01 ) . Conclusions The BBR analogue Y53 has potent ac-tivities in ameliorating renal injury and restoring renal function in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Y53 may be developed as a novel kind of agent for the treatment of DN in the future.

BACKGROUND: When one is in a stress state, some amino acids as neurotransmitter in his brain are of important regulating action to his cerebral functions and his psychic behaviors,and some traditional Chinese drugs can regulate the stress state of the body.OBJECTIVE:To observe the content changes of glutamic acid,aspartic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid and taurine in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats under repeatedly psychic stress so as to investigate the effects of tiaogan recipe, jianpi recipe, bushen recipe and ginsenoside on them.DESIGN: A randomized grouping and controlled observation trial.SETTING:Department of Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) of Basic Medical Science College, Guangzhou University of TCM.MATERIALS:The experiment was completed from March 2002 to January 2003 at the Animal Center of Guangzhou University of TCM.Totally60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal, model, tiaogan, bushen, jianpi and ginsenoside groups, with 10 in each group. Compositions and doses of tiaogan recipe: radix bupleuri 5 g, fruetus gardeniae 5 g,radix paeoniae alba 15 g,fructus lycii 15 g,fructus aurantii 6 g,radix rehmanniae 18 g, concha haliotidis 30 g. Compositions and doses of shenqi pill: radix rehmanniae 30 g, rhizoma dioscoreae 15 g, fructus corni 15 g,rhizoma alismatis 10 g,poria 10 g,cortex moutan radicis 10 g,ramulus cinnamomi 4 g, radix aconiti praeparata 4 g. Compositions and doses of sijunzi decoction:radix codonopsis pilosulae 20 g,rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae 15 g, poria 15 g, radix glycyrrhizae preparata 6 g.METHODS:① The traditional Chinese medicines were conventionally decocted; and the tiaogan recipe condensed to the liquid containing1.69 g/mL crude drug, shenqi pill containing 1.76 g/mL crude drug,sijunzi decoction containing 1.01 g/mL crude drug.Ginsenoside was prepared as 7 g/L water solution.The rats in the normal and model groups were by gavage given 2 mL of 9.0 g/L sodium chloride injection.The rats in the tiaogan, bushen, jianpi and ginsenoside groups were respectively by gavage given 2 mL of tiaogan recipe, shenqi pill, sijunzi decoction and ginsenoside solution 1 hour before immobilization stress. ② Except for rats in the normal group, those in the rest groups were all conducted for establishment of psychic stress reaction model.The rats were put into an immobilization tube,their action space was gradually reduced by using a mobile insertion piece,they were regulated to a nervous state without prpduction of intense revolting, which was done once a day, starting with 4 hours immobilization on the first day, and later on increased by 30-60 minutes per day, for consecutive 14 days. ③ The whole brain of the rats in each group was collected by decapitation,OPA high-performance liquid chromatography was used for assays of the contents of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, γaminobutyric acid and taurine in hypothalamus and hippocampus of the rats.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The content changes of glutamic acid,aspartic acid,γ-aminobutyric acid and tanrine in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats in each group.RESULTS: Totally 60 rats involved all entered into the result analysis. ①The content changes of glutamic acid in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats in each group:Compared with normal group,the contents of glutamic acid in hypothalamus of rats in the tiaogan, jianpi,bushen and ginsenoside groups were markedly decreased [(21.85±8.19), (15.76±1.80),(14.68±7.91), (21.46±5.45), (13.43±7.68) μmoL/g]; compared with model group,the contents in the tiaogan, bushen, jianpi and ginsenoside groups were obviously raised [(11.04±3.65), (11.78±2.17), (18.67±2.98), (20.91 ±3.96),(17.71±1.83) μ moL/g, P ＜ 0.05, P ＜ 0.01, P ＜ 0.01, P ＜ 0.05]. ② The content changes of aspartic acid in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats in each group:Compared with model group,the contents of aspartic acid in the hypothalamus in the jianpi and ginsenoside groups were obviously decreased [(8.65±1.18), (5.72±1.32), (4.67±1.88) μmoL/g, P ＜ 0.01,P ＜ 0.01], while the contents in the hippocampus of rats in the jianpi,bushen and ginsenoside groups were markedly raised[(2.58 ±0.87),(3.93±0.49), (4.52±0.98), (3.83±0.41) μmoL/g, P ＜ 0.01, P ＜ 0.01, P ＜ 0.05].③ The content changes of γ-aminobutyric acid in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats in each group:Compared with model group,the contents of γ-aminobutyric acid in the hypothalamus of rats in the tiaogan,jianpi,bushen and ginsenoside groups were markedly decreased[(20.92±4.96), (15.87±2.90), (13.84±2.63), (14.94±3.98), (10.94±3.68) μ moL/g,P ＜ 0.05, P ＜ 0.05, P ＜ 0.01, P ＜ 0.01], while the contents in the hypothalamus were obviously raised [(4.12±1.66), (4.18±1.04), (6.67±1.29),(6.11±0.99), (6.37±0.78) μmoL/g, P＜ 0.05, P＜ 0.01, P＜ 0.01, P＜ 0.01].④ The content changes of taurine in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats in each group: Compared with model group, the contents of taurine in the hypothalamus of rats in the tiaogan, jianpi, bushen and ginsenoside groups were markedly decreased [(10.24±1.72), (7.82±1.14), (8.00±2.05),(6.42±3.17) μmoL/g, P ＜ 0.05, P ＜ 0.05, P ＜ 0.01], while the contents in the hippocampus in the jianpi and ginsenoside groups were obviously raised [(12.61±3.51), (17.03±2.74), (18.04±2.14) μnoL/g, P＜ 0.01, P＜ 0.01].CONCLUSION:The central acting site of tiaogan recipe may mainly be in the hypothalamus,possibly being related with down-regulating amino acids.While the central acting sites ofjianpi recipe,bushen recipe and ginsenoside may include the hippocampus and hypothalamus, being mainly related with up-regulating amino acids,through enhancing the integration of the hippocampus on stress so as to gain the effect of anti-injury of stress.

OBJECTIVE To study the antitumor activity and underlying mechanisms of Xiaoaiping injection(Xap)combined with gefitinib(Gef)in nude mice bearing resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells H460 or H975. METHODS BALB/c nude mice were inoculated with human NSLCL cells H460 or H1975 and the drug treatment did not start until the tumor volume reached 50-100 mm3. The tumor bearing mice were divided into four groups:control group,Xap group(5 g · kg-1,ip),Gef group (50 mg · kg-1,ig),and Xap plus Gef group. All the administration lasted for 21 d continuous. Tumor volumes were measured two or three times per week,and the body weight of animals was re-corded. At the end of the test,tumors were weighed after the sacrifice of mice. Tumor inhibition rate and relative tumor proliferation rate were calculated based on tumor weight and tumor volume. The related biomarkers and proteins in tumor tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay, respectively. RESULTS Compared with the control group,no significant effect was observed on the growth of H460 and H1975 xenografts in groups of Xap or Gef alone in nude mice. However,the two-drug combination significantly suppressed tumor volume,with (1103 ± 340) versus (3020 ± 450) mm3 for H460 and(487 ± 153)versus(1269 ± 161)mm3 for H1975,respectively(P<0.05). The combined Xap and Gef application also significantly reduced the tumor weight,with(1.20±0.52)versus(2.78± 0.93)g for H460 and(0.52 ± 0.32)versus(0.92 ± 0.42)g for H1975,respectively(P<0.05). The relative tumor proliferation rate and inhibition rate in the combination group was 42.1%and 43.5%for H460(P<0.01),43.0%and 52.5% for H1975(P<0.01). Compared with Xap and Gef drug alone,their combination showed significant difference in reducing tumor weight,suppressing tumor proliferation rate and increasing tumor inhibition rate(P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry results showed that each drug alone had no effect on tumor angiogenesis markers of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and CD105 expression,or on drug resistance related proteins of p-ERK,p-Akt and p-mTOR,whereas the combination of Xap and Gef obviously reduced the expression of these biomarkers in H460 and H1975 tumor tissues. The decreased drug resistance related proteins of p-PI3K and its downstream molecules p-Akt,p-ERK and p-mTOR by the two-drug combination were also confirmed by Western blot results(P<0.01,compared with control), and showed significant difference compared with each single treatment(P<0.05). CONCLUSION The addition of Xap significantly improves the antitumor activity of Gef in H460 and H1975 xenografts,and this synergistic effect may be ascribed to the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis,the down-regulation of PI3K and its downstream signaling molecules which are associated with drug resistance.

BACKGROUND:Autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel transplantation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease has become one of the hotspots, but it is unclear whether the proliferation and directional differentiation of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels varies changes with age. OBJECTIVE: To explore the proliferation and differentiation changes of rat bone mesenchymal stem cels in different ages. METHODS:The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels from Sprague-Dawley rats in different age groups were purified and cultured, and then examined by flow cytometry in terms of cel cycle. Meanwhile, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were co-cultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels. The morphologic changes of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels and the protein expression of troponin T were detected with immunofluorescence technique. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The percentage of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels in G0/G1 phase was increased with age; while the percentage of expression of troponin T proteins-positive bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels were decreased with age. These findings indicate that the proliferation and differentiation abilities of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels descend with age.